The UNC Wilmington women’s soccer team looked to stop a two-game losing streak and come away with a win in its home opener Friday night. The Ospreys of North Florida had other ideas.

After North Florida (4-4-1) took the lead midway through the first half, the Ospreys tightened their defense and preserved a 1-0 victory. The only goal of the game came in 26th minute when Keara Murphy assisted to Heather Botelho, who was able to put one just out of the reach of UNCW goalkeeper Caitlin Hunter.

The loss is the third consecutive for the Seahawks, dropping them to 2-5 overall.

“You have to score goals to win in soccer,” coach Paul Cairney said. “We’re putting ourselves in positions to score goals. Tonight was just execution and that final pass and that final decision is what we need to improve on.”

UNCW had multiple opportunities to get on the board, but each time they came up short. North Florida goalkeeper Megan Dorsey led the Osprey defense that smothered all of the Seahawk scoring chances.

“The goalkeeper (for North Florida) played exceptional tonight,” Cairney said. “She really made some great saves to keep them in the game.”

UNCW would not go down without a fight, though. Late in the second half, the Seahawks put themselves in a great position to tie the game when Stephanie Rose intercepted a North Florida pass and streaked through the Osprey defense. She ended up one-on-one with the keeper, but her shot attempt was snatched away by Dorsey. UNCW also threatened with a corner kick in the 88th minute, but the attempt was defended well and cleared by North Florida.

The Seahawks’ next opportunity to end their losing streak comes Sunday afternoon against Western Carolina as they continue in the Hilton Garden Inn Mayfaire Invitational. UNCW will look to improve their offense before they open up the conference schedule Friday at Delaware.